Triumphrat

dseely · 02-18-2006

I want to replace my stock cam cover with the chrome one. Does anyone know if this is something that I can do myself? Wasn't sure if there is a vacuum, or pressure build up inside. Can I do it? Or do I need to go to a dealer and get it changed? Would appreciate any help. Thanks!

cobra935o · 02-18-2006

If you have a few simple tools and about a half hour, you can do it yourself. Along with the cover just get new gaskets while you are at the dealer and throw all the old stuff in the box the new one came in and you will be good to go. Nathan

WaltZ · 02-18-2006

deseely,

I did mine myself, but I also mow my own lawn with a Famall Cub...

Shut fuel off (Not full tank), slide fuel line clamp back and unhook fuel line from petcock - I used a curved hemostat, with my initials on it, from left side. Remove seat - probably should'a took seat off first. Take out two bolts that hold tank in place where meets seat. Carefully pull back tank, & unhook breather down tube line & let hang, its right frontish side. Take tank off and set aside on pad you already thought ahead about and put down - away from where you are working. Undo Cam Cover top bolts. (No, there's no chrome replacement bolts, but nobody sees these when put back together anyway.) Used, like a wooded paint stirer to hammer tap lip up to loosen cam cover. Took off old cover. I was able to remove old gasket and reuse no problems or leaks, with new chrome cover.

Did the reverse to reinstall. This was last spring '05.

When putting tank back on, bumped front lip seam on frame. Cause instant exploding chip about size of a pin head. Go store get black Testies Enamel Black Model Paint. Fill in chip with paint. I'm the only one who knows where it is. "Be gentle next time, grasshopper..."

If you don't have a curved hemostat with my initials on it, you just won't be able to do the job.

[ This message was edited by: WaltZ on 2006-02-18 08:49 ]

ssjones · 02-18-2006

Although I don't own a hemostat with my initials on it, I was able to complete this relatively easy job several times. (I do have some non-initialed hemostats for fishing...)

I found a tip from the BonnevilleAmerica.com forums to be helpful - zip tie all the wires that run over top of the cam cover as tightly to the frame as possible, giving you as much access as possible to slip the cover off/on. I found slipping the cover off and than back on from the right side gave you the best clearance.

The hardest aspect was popping the old cover off. Mine seemed to be glued in place. The stir-stick trick sounds like a good idea.

I reused all of my gaskets, no problems there.

I used a little tacky gasket adhesive to hold the rubber gasket to the new chrome cover while positioning the cover back into place.

You will need a torque wrench for the cam cover bolts, don't want to over tighten those puppies.

Liontari · 02-18-2006

I was able to loosen the old cover with a few smacks of a rubber hammer in various locations.

[ This message was edited by: Liontari on 2006-02-19 10:07 ]

ssjones · 02-18-2006

Quote:

On 2006-02-18 14:30, Liontari wrote:
I was able to loosen the old cover with a few smacks of a rubber hammer in varous locations.

That's what I used, but it took a much hard blow than I would have guessed.

dseely · 02-19-2006

Thanks guys! Appreciate all the input. Once I get this cover on the bike it will be totally chromed out.

I tried to do this this morning...no problem getting old cover loose (used a rubber mallet and tapped lightly) but cannot get the ***** thing off. I do not have enough clearance because of the wiring and such. I had pulled everything up as tight to the frame as possible but could still not work it out. Taking a break right now.....don't want to get frustrated. I am sooo close! Don't want to force anything and then have a huge disaster on my hands. Any suggestions?? I'm open! The ***** thing will just not come out.

Thanks,
David

larryshep · 02-19-2006

Remove the coils, it will give you enough room.

dardoonk · 02-19-2006

I just installed the chrome cover and had to move my relays and wiring to squeeze it out. I had to push the relays under the frame and pull everything up as far as I could on the left hand side.
After that, it slid right out.

ssjones · 02-19-2006

Quote:

On 2006-02-19 07:58, dseely wrote:
Thanks guys! Appreciate all the input. Once I get this cover on the bike it will be totally chromed out.

I tried to do this this morning...no problem getting old cover loose (used a rubber mallet and tapped lightly) but cannot get the ***** thing off. I do not have enough clearance because of the wiring and such. I had pulled everything up as tight to the frame as possible but could still not work it out. Taking a break right now.....don't want to get frustrated. I am sooo close! Don't want to force anything and then have a huge disaster on my hands. Any suggestions?? I'm open! The ***** thing will just not come out.

Thanks,
David

Mine was VERY stubborn. I had to really wack it with a rubber mallet and than finally popped it off from the bottom edge with a screwdriver/mallet. I'd try the paint stir stick trick before resorting to a screwdriver.
Also good advice to move the coils/relays, that does give some extra clearance.